HAIL , happy Sister! great in arts and arms,
In manly valour and in female charms;
Whose classic sons the noblest honours claim,
And shine unrivall’d on the list of fame:
Say, wilt thou deign to mark these humble lays,
And kindly pardon, if thou can’st not praise?
Behold! my timid daughter blushing stands;
Her gift she proffers, but with trembling hands.
In antique garb has SCOTIA’S Muse too long
Disguis’d the sweetness of her native song:
Ev’n where her work the seal of genius bears,
The phrase uncouth disgusts your nicer ears.
At length a chosen band beheld the day,
Who clear’d the rust of ancient times away.
POPE’S music flows in HAMILTON’S smooth lines;
With art correct each polish’d period shines.
While HOME sublime attempts a higher strain,
And boldly dares the tragic wreath to gain.
An ancient minstrel’s simple tale he chose:
Beneath his hands a noble fabric rose;
Where tragedy in all her pomp appears,
And claims applauding hands and melting tears.
The germs of genius BEATTIE’S numbers show,
And mark those buds that undistinguish’d grow,
Till to perfection the fair fruit aspires:
Our taste approves it, and our eye admires.
More might I add, who seek the Muses’ fane
With equal powers, and equal honours gain.
Such are my sons; no daughter yet of mine
Had dar’d to court the favour of the Nine,
While ENGLAND’S fair distinguish’d honour grace,
And high in Fame’s bright temple claim a place:
When, in the stillness of a wild retreat,
Far, far, alas! from genius’ favourite seat,
Where JED’S fair stream his woody borders laves,
Or pours thro’ flowery meads his chrystal waves,
Your votary rose; and, warm with generous flame,
Strove to secure the meed of honest fame;
To follow where your daughters lead the way,
Last of the train, and listen to their lay:
Her harsher lines attune from their smooth strain;
From their full wreaths one humble sprig obtain;
From dark oblivion’s gulf her name to save;
Adorn her life, and dignify her grave.
(Elizabeth Scot)
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Based on Topics: Life Poems, Fairness Poems, Place Poems, Happiness Poems, Art Poems, Sons Poems, Praise Poems, Fame Poems, Sisters Poems, Honesty & Integrity Poems, Genius PoemsBased on Keywords: chrystal, disguis, dignify, approves, proffers, undistinguish, harsher, attune, unrivall, applauding, disgusts